The ENOUGH! project, spearheaded by the advocacy organization Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment Ghana (RISE-Ghana), is making significant strides in empowering students and communities to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in districts across the Upper East Region.
The project, implemented in collaboration with Oxfam and Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) and funded by the European Union, has achieved notable outcomes in education, awareness, and collaboration.
Ms Jaw-haratu Amadu, Head of Programmes at RISE-Ghana, shared key highlights during the phase-out meeting of the ENOUGH! project held in Bolgatanga.
She emphasized that the initiative has heightened awareness among students and community members, leading to increased reporting of SGBV cases. Furthermore, the project has engaged students and community leaders in the fight against human rights abuses.
Ms Amadu highlighted the positive impact on stakeholders, stating, “More queen mothers have become active in informed advocacy, more men now are involved in community-level advocacy, and there is an increase in knowledge of girls, boys, women, and men on harmful traditional practices and the right path to seek justice and advice.”
The project has successfully rescued victims of SGBV, including cases of defilement and child marriage. Additionally, it has fostered collaboration among various stakeholders, including state human rights institutions, the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Health Service, Ghana Police Service, and traditional leaders.
However, Ms Amadu identified challenges such as delays in adjudicating SGBV cases in court and charges for medical reports for survivors. She called on the government to urgently allocate resources to strengthen institutions in the sector.
Mr Haruna Alhassan, the Bawku Municipal Director of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), commended RISE-Ghana for its contribution to the vision of CHRAJ.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration to raise awareness and reduce the prevalence of SGBV in communities.
Ms Rita Wepia Pwalua, the Kassena-Nankana Municipal Girl Child Education Officer of the Ghana Education Service, highlighted the project's success in rescuing girls from child marriages.
She urged traditional authorities to enforce rules against child abuse, particularly child marriage, rape, and defilement.
The ENOUGH! project, launched in 2020, seeks to empower women, girls, men, and boys to take positive action to end SGBV in Ghana, Liberia, and Mali.
The positive outcomes reported during the phase-out meeting underscore the project's impact on education, advocacy, and collaboration in the fight against SGBV.